The stream below is full of little brook trout. I hiked above the falls on a faint trail, climbing over and scooting under fallen trees, to this little section of creek. I didn’t have time to fish, but I’m hoping the waterfall serves as a barrier to brookies so that cutthroats flourish here. We’ll see.
A few days ago, fishing on a northern Idaho stream that will not be named, the largest west slope cutthroat I’ve ever hooked shook a #16 Adams Irresistible at my feet as I stood in a couple inches of water. I’m saying 14 inches. Not huge, but big for me. I don’t have a photo, but I do have a witness. A couple minutes later, this little rascal ate the same fly, and I felt pretty damn good.
What a pleasure it was getting to know western/wildlife artist T.D. Kelsey.
